According to sources close to SteelOrbis, ex-US deals for containerized HMS I/II 80:20 have reached $283-284/mt CFR Taiwan this week with deals at $280-283/mt CFR Taiwan the week ended August 4. While a larger Taiwanese mill was heard purchasing HMS I/II 80:20 at slightly lower prices in the week ended August 4, the source noted that the $275/mt CFR Taiwan deal was due to special circumstances and should not skew the pricing range on the predominant number of containerized HMS I/II 80:20 deals that have transpired over the past week.
Containerized HMS I/II 80:20 offers from the US West coast are now approximately $290-295/mt CFR Taiwan. Compared to the range reported on July 31, offers have increased by $13/mt. Results from the upcoming Japanese Tetsugen scrap auction this week will help provide the market with further direction as the US West coast heavy melting steel scrap prices to Taiwan and other Asian destinations tend to incorporate movements in the Japanese H2 export scrap market.